BGEA: Year In Pictures
21 powerful ministry moments in 2021
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Leap of Faith
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) plunged in and made every effort in 2021 to share the Gospel—including hosting week-long retreats for law enforcement officers and their spouses in Port Alsworth, Alaska, for the first time ever.
Road Trip for Christ
In the fall, Franklin Graham traveled to eight cities across Route 66 based on the timeless biblical message: God loves you. The Route 66 God Loves You Tour covered 2,000-plus miles and reached more than 56,300 people at outdoor events—and thousands more online.
Healing Touch
“God’s going to take care of us. No doubt about it,” said Wanda, a COVID-19 patient who was one of hundreds the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains prayed with at a Samaritan’s Purse emergency field hospital in Lenoir, North Carolina.
Little Drummer Girl
While Franklin Graham shared God’s love along Route 66, Will Graham simultaneously held the Black Hills Paha Sapa Celebration in Rapid City, South Dakota, in late September. This pint-sized participant excitedly beat the drums after being invited onstage with a group of kids to worship alongside the band, The Afters. “Your mom can’t make you a Christian. Your dad can’t make you a Christian. Your church can’t make you a Christian,” Will Graham said at the event. It’s a decision only you can make. Choose today.
U.K. Church Revival
Over a series of four one-day events, thousands of pastors and church leaders attended the U.K. Evangelism Summit and were spiritually refreshed with times of worship, teaching and fellowship after facing various hardships. The BGEA will head back to Great Britain next year for the Franklin Graham God Loves You Tour.
Building the Next Generation
Since 2015, the BGEA has taken a group of college students under its wing during summer months to grow in their faith and careers. This year’s interns included students from all across the country who were passionate about sharing Jesus Christ and implementing fresh ideas into the ministry. Find out how you or someone you know can intern with BGEA next summer.
A Child-like Faith
This year, KidzFest—a kid-friendly event at Will Graham Celebrations—featured a new twist including a virtual reality video. Afterward, Will Graham comes on the scene live to tell children and their families how there’s only one way to God, and that’s through Jesus Christ. Hundreds of children accepted Christ across North America in 2021.
Lotz Legacy at the Library
With a desire to pass the baton of faith to future generations, Anne Graham Lotz and her daughter, Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright, co-authored Jesus Followers. Together, they held a book signing at the Billy Graham Library on October 2.
Prayer Warrior
BGEA’s evangelistic events wouldn’t happen without the power of prayer like this woman’s on the Route 66 Tour—which knock on heaven’s gates and bend the Father’s ear. Do you have a prayer request? Call the 24/7 Billy Graham Prayer Line at 1-888-388-2683. Find out how God has been working through the prayer line with these five short testimonies.
A God Sign
In October, Will Graham spoke at a three-night Greater Sudbury Celebration in Ontario, Canada, where thousands heard the Good News. Others watching in person and online were able to understand the Gospel through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. Did you know the BGEA started an online ASL ministry this year to reach deaf people in their heart language? Read more about it.
Ministry of Presence
Less than a year after the death of George Floyd, the Rapid Response Team deployed again to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in April. Chaplains took time to talk with hurting locals and pointed them to a God who gives hope.
Reeling & Restoration
Will Graham enjoyed the mountainous terrain while ministering alongside Billy Graham chaplains at the first Alaska-based law enforcement retreat, aimed to restore marriages in light of the Gospel. He told the group of 10 couples, “The lasting impact is going to be what you guys did in your hearts,” adding that BGEA staff would continue praying for them. “This is not the end, this is just the beginning,” he said.
Gospel Teamwork
Newsboys’ lead singer Michael Tait is a longtime friend of the Graham family, and first joined Billy Graham at a Crusade 27 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio. He didn’t miss a beat while encouraging people to worship God during the Route 66 Tour with Franklin Graham.
Tragic Twisters
This is all that’s left. More than 90 people were killed and thousands became homeless overnight on December 10 when at least 30 tornadoes touched down across the central U.S. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains deployed to the worst hit areas, including Trumann, Arkansas. You can help share the love and compassion of Christ during this tragic time.
Hispanic Outreach
The Billy Graham Library’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day brought individuals of all ages together to honor their Hispanic heritage and offered Journey of Faith tours in Spanish. This year, BGEA launched the Hispanic Initiatives ministry to reach Hispanic communities in the United States and world. Check out BGEA’s new Spanish website.
Hope for Haiti
A nervous 16-year-old (not pictured) waited for surgery on his broken leg at a Samaritan’s Purse emergency field hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti. The Caribbean country encountered a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that injured 12,000-plus people and took 2,200 lives. Before the teenager’s surgery, he asked Billy Graham chaplains how to accept Jesus—and prayed to surrender his life to God.
Law Enforcement Appreciation
“It was a privilege of our staff and the local community to welcome officers who have been wounded or experienced a highly traumatic situation in the line of duty to Alaska,” Franklin Graham shared via Twitter while officers and their spouses attended a marriage retreat, part of BGEA’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Ministry.
Family Ministry
With the Grahams, evangelism events oftentimes turn into family ones as they support and pray for one another in ministry. During the Route 66 Tour, Franklin Graham welcomed his sons, Will Graham and Roy Graham, son-in-law Corey Lynch and daughter Cissie Graham Lynch to the stage, along with two of his grandchildren, Margaret and Austin.
Navigating Grief
Where do you begin when people lose loved ones, their homes and community all in one night? You start by being there to offer comfort and a listening ear. That’s what these Billy Graham chaplains are doing in tornado-ravaged Mayfield (pictured here) and Bowling Green, Kentucky. Read about a 25-year-old resident who accepted Christ after barely escaping the twister.
Spreading Joy Online
Will Graham recorded a Christmas celebration on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library, an online event that reached thousands with a message about the hope Jesus Christ offers. His sister Cissie Graham Lynch (left) hosted the holiday special, with music by Ellie Holcomb.
Celebrating Christ
With the many traditions of Christmastime, all are welcome to watch a live nativity, go for a carriage ride and sip hot cocoa while experiencing Christmas at the Library at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s a joyous way to commemorate the year, celebrating the birth of Jesus, who is Christ the Lord.
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